UWI claim fifth straight title in BCA Elite division as BDFSP are demoted

published by ikhan on Mon, 09/30/2013 - 04:09

Barbados Cricket Association article.

Bridgetown, Barbados - Again spurred by their spin bowlers, Sagicor Life UWI claimed a record-equalling fifth successive title in the major BCA championship today after demolishing Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP) by nine wickets at Paragon.

And since the introduction of promotion and relegation in 2009, BDFSP have been demoted for the second time after returning to the top flight in 2011.

Celebrations for UWI on the final day of the 2013 Elite division championship were, however, tempered by a pending arbitration involving ICBL Empire, who led the points table for most of the season, and Carlton, over a controversial Series 1 match which was abandoned on the second day at Desmond Haynes Oval.

Ironically, play in that opening series, which started May 4, proved decisive with the last two days - apart from the match at Desmond Haynes Oval - being rescheduled from May 11 and 12, to yesterday and today because of the regional first-class final between Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago at Kensington Oval.

UWI's fourth victory was the most by any team and carried them to 102 points - four more than the only other title contenders going into the last day - CGI Maple, who were held to a draw by Super Centre Spartan at Queen's Park.

Empire gained 96 points for third position, while ESA Field Pickwick finished fourth on 85 points in the ten-team championship.

Pickwick are the only other club to boast of five consecutive titles, all of which they won alone more than a century ago, starting in 1901-02 in the First division (rebranded Elite from 2012), while UWI shared the 2010 title with Spartan.

At Paragon:

It was always going to be a tough task for BDFSP to avoid defeat.

Starting the day on 87 for three in their second innings - they followed on with a deficit of 163 - BDFSP were seemingly putting up a fight before losing three quick wickets just before tea as they limped to 195 for nine.

They were soon bowled out for 202 with off-spinner Ryan Austin taking four for 29. Left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge picked up two for 31 and leg-spinner Akeem Dewar, two for 44.

UWI knocked off the target 40 in 10.1 overs as the match ended at 4.10 p.m.

BDFSP ended second last on 56 points - five less than Guardian General Barbados Youth who are exempted from demotion.

At Queen's Park:

Maple encountered stubborn batting as Spartan carried their overnight 48 for two to 195 all out in the post-tea session.

Marrodon Bend, however, played enterprisingly for the topscore of 60.

Requiring 180 to win, Maple ended on 94 for six.

At Bayfield:

Left-arm spinner and captain Derick Bishop grabbed four for 63 to finish the season as the only bowler with over 50 wickets (52) as St. Catherine took first innings points over Pickwick.

Pickwick were bowled out for 284 after resuming on 156 for five in reply to 324 for eight declared.

Today, Renaldo Holder made 59 following the topscore of 95 by opener Craig St. Hill yesterday.

St. Catherine were 67 for five in their second innings when the match ended at 4.45 p.m.

At Crumpton Street:

Barbados Youth demolished LIME by an innings and 122 runs to record their only win of the season despite a painstaking knock from Randy Thomas.

Skipper Thomas scored 22 not out in 279 minutes off 265 balls as LIME, again batting with two players short because of injuries, fell for 144 from an overnight 37 for two.